TURKEY JOINS JSF PROJECT NATION WILL AID DEVELOPMENT.

Byline: Daily News

PALMDALE - Turkey has signed a $175 million memorandum of understanding for its partnership in the joint strike fighter systems development and demonstration phase.

The agreement was signed last week by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Edward C. ``Pete'' Aldridge and Under Secretary for Defense Industries Ali Ercan of the Turkish Ministry of Defense.

The Ministry of Defense in Turkey was an early advocate of the JSF for their air force and took steps during the previous concept demonstration phase to begin their association through foreign military sales for $6.2 million, Lockheed Martin officials said.

Turkey's concept demonstration phase participation included an examination of changes to Turkish air force logistics that should be accomplished to support a JSF aircraft.

Turkey will participate with the United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Canada, Denmark and Norway over the next 10 years of the systems development and demonstration phase.

Turkish industry is expected to get work on the program. Turkey has an active engine production facility in partnership with General Electric that could play a substantial role in Turkey's industrial and post-production involvement in the JSF, Lockheed Martin officials said.